Govt to deploy 12,000 Ansars
The government has decided to deploy 12,000 Ansar personnel at 993 risky points on highways across the country to ensure safe and smooth transport movement and to prevent acts of sabotage.
Initially, the Ansar men will be deployed at 216 vulnerable points on different highways from today.
The decision came amid the ongoing indefinite blockade, which stepped into 25th day, enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance. At least 35 people were killed and around a thousand injured during the blockade. Of the dead, 23 had no link with politics.
Besides, long distance passenger and goods-carrying vehicles are coming under attack regularly. At least 360 vehicles were torched since the BNP-led alliance announced the blockade on January 5, according to the Fire Service.
Under the circumstances, the road transport and bridges ministry yesterday held an inter-ministerial meeting with representatives from all ministries concerned, law enforcement agencies', and vehicle owners' association.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Railways Minister Mazibul Hoque, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Moshiur Rahman Ranga, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Haque and directors general of Rapid Action Battalion, Special Branch of police, and Ansar and VDP attended the meeting with Obaidul Quader in the chair.
At the meeting, ministers and high-ups of the law enforcement agencies stressed the need for creating mass awareness against subversive acts and asked the people's representatives to play their due role to resist violence.
The meeting decided on beefing up security for smooth movement of passengers and transportation of goods on highways, waterways and railways. Representatives of the local government bodies will assist the administration in this regard, said Obaidul.
Steps regarding the safety of the SSC examinees on their way to exam halls will also be taken, said the minister.
Obaidul Quader said the government was considering compensating owners of damaged vehicles.
Fifteen transport workers were killed in the violence during the blockade while 326 vehicles were torched and 500 others vandalised, said the minister.
Earlier, Bangladesh Railway deployed 8,328 Ansar and VDP members at 1,041 vulnerable points across the country to safeguard rail tracks and keep the train communication normal.
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